The Growth :-

The importance of a common platform for the regional and international footwear industry, where they can exhibit their world-class products to a global audience. The growing global interest in the Asian footwear market – particularly in the Middle East, is being driven by its rapidly rising value, with the region posing great potential to overshadow Europe to become the largest footwear market in the world.

Exhibits will feature wide array of products from men’s footwear, women’s footwear, children’s Footwear, casual footwear, corporate footwear up to leather products and accessories. The Exhibition will be promoted to industry professionals, trade visitors and decision makers through an extensive and carefully planned media campaign, which is designed to attract key personnel in the Public & Private sectors.

The Market

Dh1.1 billion by 2010

The UAE footwear market is expected to hit more than Dh1.1 billion by 2010, according to the latest market study, based on the estimated growth as well as booming population and cash flow across the emirates.

The study was released on the occasion of the Footwear expo 2008, which starts today in Dubai. The fair, the first of its kind in the region, aims to provide global companies a platform to collaborate with local establishments and expand their networks. "Dubai is globally recognized as a new fashion destination. Not to mention the up to minute fashionable malls in Dubai and the unprecedented trends that becomes an integral part of Dubai's image," said Nafees Ahmad, project manager at orange fairs and events, organizers of the exhibition.

"The exhibition combines 40 companies from 17 countries. However, Brazil has strong participation and it has four companies under its umbrella," he added.

Juliana H. Kauer, Marketing Brazilian footwear at Abicalçados, stated "our organization combines 600 recognizable companies. However, today we just participate with four of them," said Juliana. Jerome Ingenhoes, sales & marketing director at the Exotan Company, which specializes in exotic leather, says: "Dubai is an essential element in the international business industry due to its commercial position."